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A small, trendy clothing boutique in the South Wedge area of the city was broken into early Tuesday morning for the third time in five years.

An estimated $20,000 worth of clothing was stolen from Thread, a store that opened on South Avenue about 51/2 years ago. The theft happened at about 4 a.m. and items taken included designer coats, sweatshirts and two complete racks of miscellaneous clothing, said Sandy Brazis, co-owner of Thread, adding that the holiday season is the store's busiest time of the year.